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1st (Overnight) Hang- Notes, observations, and questions!

Hey guys!

I decided to get some practice "overnighting" in my hammock, and where else is one to try than the backyard? So, for anyone else considering trying out, here are some of my notes/ovservations, and I will have some questions for the "Pro's" at the end:

---------------------------Notes/Observations--------------------------------
1. Cats and cows are mystified by people hanging in hammocks
2. Slap Straps stretch to utterly ridiculous levels during the night,

A. Throwing off your fly, and

B. Throwing off your bugnet

C. Throwing off your gear line

and D. making everything a pain in the neck

3. Trying to maneuver in a hammock whilst opening and getting in a sleeping bag is NOT the best idea, and WILL most likely end up with you on the ground
------Noted: If you HAVE to have a sleeping bag, get it "just right" BEFORE you set up everything else
4. Every little "creepy-deepie-critter" you hear IS NOT a serial killer, coming for you
5. Having someone else with you is not a bad idea
6. Having a loose rain fly in wind and rain usually does work out well
7. Having gear (Shoes too!) dragging the ground in your bugnet, in the rain isn't very pleasant for any, *AHEM*, "Midnight runs"
and finally,
8. ALWAYS check HF and scour every thread for every bit of info you can, BEFORE attempting to do it yourself.
--------------------------- Questions -----------------------------------
1. Do you guys use a sleeping bag or just take a blanket, in conjunction with your over/underquilt(s)?
2. How do you keep your gear dry?
3. How do you keep rain from blowing up under your fly?
4. Good place to store shoes?

1. Do you guys use a sleeping bag or just take a blanket, in conjunction with your over/underquilt(s)?
2. How do you keep your gear dry?
3. How do you keep rain from blowing up under your fly?
4. Good place to store shoes?

The answer to number 2 is to replace your ENO DryFly with something better. As you discovered it provides pretty poor coverage in the rain. Number 3 is solved by staking your tarp edges closer to the ground. Pretty had to do with the DryFly.

---------------------------- Questions -----------------------------------
1. Do you guys use a sleeping bag or just take a blanket, in conjunction with your over/underquilt(s)?
2. How do you keep your gear dry?
3. How do you keep rain from blowing up under your fly?
4. Good place to store shoes?

Hope this might help someone else!

1. I have used a mummy sleeping bag up to this point, I just keep the bottom part zipped so I have a footbox. Insert feet into said footbox, then just use the remaining bag like a blanket and tuck the sides in around you for a nice, cozy layer of insulation.

2. I have a rather large tarp that I pitch closer to the ground if it is going to rain. This restricts the rain from entering my humble abode and keeps any gear I have under me dry. I usually hang my pack on my suspension inside the tarp. If I know the rain is coming in advance, I'll bring a poncho to put over my pack as well to keep it extra super dry.

3. Again, bigger tarp.

4. I keep my shoes either tied to the other side of the suspension from my pack or, usually, keep them below my hammock in my nice, big tarp.

It sounds like you could make VERY good use out of a bit larger tarp and a gear hammock. The bigger tarp would keep the rain off you and the gear hammock would hold all your gear off the ground, whilst staying dry because of your gratuitously large tarp, and readily accessible in case of midnight pee emergencies. Happy hanging!

oldgringo's reply to my worrying about owning extra hammocks:

How many pairs of underwear do you own? Do you refer to them as "extras", simply because you're not wearing all of them as we speak?

IMO you definitely need a bigger tarp. When a tarp is properly pitched and staked it will shed rain and wind very well. Staking the sides lower will prevent all but the very worst of the rain and wind blowing in on you. Site selection also plays a part in how well your tarp will shed wind and rain. IE: taking into account the expected wind direction and pitching your tarp accordingly. I use a small piece of Tyvek wrap as a ground cloth under my hammock and this is where my shoes go. Never have had wet shoes. I don't have one. But a gear hammock is also a good idea and is on my DIY To-Do list. Keep tinkering and testing your set in the backyard and you will get it to your liking soon enough.